Pneumatic headgear



NOV. 24, 1931. El J, FORD 1,833,708

PNEUMAT I C HEADGEAR Filed Jan. 7, 1931 Edward l rd INVENTOR B W. fil/M141 s ATTORNEY;

' 15 absorbing Patented Nov. 24, 1931 EDWARD J'. FORD, 0F SIPOKANE,l WASHINGTON PNEUMATICI HEADG-EAR Application filed January 7, 1931.

This invention relates to improvements in helmets for football players and the like and has for the primary object, the provision of a device of the above stated character which f5 will afford efficient protection to the top of the head, forehead, temples and the base of the skull of the player and which will be comfortable and light in weight and capable of withstanding undue wear.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a pneumatic cushioning within the helmet and so constructed that the expansion thereof will be against or towardv the walls of the helmet to provide an efficient shock means for the head of the wearer and when inflated will not interfere or bind the head o-f the wearer.

A further object of this invention is the provision of means whereby complete and 0 thorough ventilation may be had to the head of theowearer, without destroying the cushioning eifect of the device.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a helmet of the above stated character which will be simple, durable and efficient and which may be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost.

With these and other objects in view as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings and following description, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating a helmet constructed in accordance with my L0 invention.

Figure 2 is a top same.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

plan view illustrating the 5 Figure 4;' is a horizontal sectional view ings 3.

ears of the wearer and head by a suitable adjus An inner linin 'serial No. 507,276.

base

s of Ventilating openeXtends over the top of the skull and is secured upon the table chin strap 4. g 5 is positioned within the outer casing 1 and has its edges stitched or otherwise secure d to the outer casing for the purpose of forming a chamber within the helmet to receive-an inflatable bag or bladder 6 constructed from rubber or any other material suitable for the purpose and is provided with an inflated in one of the side portions the helmet whereb troduced into the sired for Ythe matic cushion.

bladder valve 7 located' or ear flaps of y air pressure may be inor bag 6 as depurpose of providing aI pneu- The inner wall or the wall opposite to the wall engaging the outer casing 1 is of considerable thickness so that the expansion of the bladder or air pressure will inner face of the outer or bladder is provided wi ings aligning` with the inner lining is stitched as shown at 8 t casing 1 about t in Figure 3.

Thus it will may freely circulate into helmet and the circulation terfered with by the bag or b bag when under be toward or against the casing 1. The bag th Ventilating openopenings 3 and the or otherwise secured o the inner wall of the outer he openings 3 as clearly shown be seen that air and out of the will not be inladder 6.

The side portions or ear flaps of the helmet are provided with a wire to be openings alining with plurality of Ventilating yopenings 9 closed by material 10 and it is the portion of the bag mesh or similar understood that or bladder associated with Ventilating the openings 9. The

openings 9 besides providing for ventilation also when the ears.

permit the wearer to readily hear device is placed over the head and A head engaging member 11 is secured to the inner lining 5 and co tion thereto.

A forehead s mprises straps 12 each other with and support the trap constructed from sponge rubber or the like as shown at 13 is associated with the straps l2 and is adapted to engage about the forehead of the wearer to protect that portion of the'head 5 as Well as aiding in securing the device in place on the head.

The inner lining@ ymay beconstrutced from a light- Weight);A leatlier or other material suitable for the purpose, therefore it will 10 be seen that a device has been provided which Will be extremely light* iii' Weight and* willE provide an eiicient protector for thehead o the wearer as the bag or bladder when inflated to a desired air pressurewill eiiectively ab 15 sorb shocks and jars and'prevent them from beinggtr-ansmitted to the hea-d ofctheifwearem While Lhaveshovrn aindrdescri-bed thea pref ferred embodiment. of my invention5 it:l Will:` be` understoodv that. minonV changes: im cone'A 2&1 structiom,V combination; andfarrangement) of parts- :mayy be I madev WithoutL depart-ingr from the spirit and'scope'aslolaimed. v Y lwvingjhus described l my invention; Wha-tf` I: claim is: 255 A helmetfcomprising, an:v outer casing:7 an1 inner casing; se'cnred infy the( outer cas-ing-l tov providefa' chambery. a pneumatic` cushioning bia-g; in; said-t. chamben' and.v havingrthe'nnerxl Walls: of greaterr thicknessA than the outer; Wallsy Jforst-he purpose 10i"causin'gfthe'expane sion ofthe'bag toward and against thefoute-r casing, anda'fvleadrengagingflmemberfsecured; tothe'i'nner casing.

Ln testimony -vvhereofzl affix-Amy signature-.- f JJ, EOBD: 

